City fail with Cisse approach

Marseille have rejected an approach from Manchester City for striker Djibril Cisse.

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 14:16, Tue, Jan 8, 2008

Djibril Cisse.

Cisse has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window after failing to secure a regular starting role at OM this season.

"He is wanted, that is for sure," said Marseille president Pape Diouf. "I myself have been approached by Manchester City (for Cisse's services), but I turned it down categorically."

The likes of Blackburn, West Ham and Portsmouth have also been linked with the France international, who completed a permanent move to OM from Liverpool last summer.

Cisse has been forced to play second fiddle to Mamadou Niang up front for the French side this campaign and has scored just two goals in Ligue 1.

But with Senegal forward Niang having left for the African Nations Cup, Cisse - who was on loan at OM last season - is set for an extended spell in the first team.

Diouf added: "I want to be clear - Djibril Cisse will not leave. He will stay at OM until the end of the season,

"I have always wanted to rediscover the Djibril that we signed, the efficient Djibril. I have never doubted his abilities, his qualities. He got through difficulties last year and I have no doubt that he will get out of them again this season.

"With everything that he has had to endure, read, see and hear, I understand that it piles the pressure on him to leave, having been contacted by an English club that is among the leading teams in their league.

"But when he and myself discussed this, he understood my position - he understood that I will not let him leave and he has no problem with me."